As the NFL and virutally the entire law-enforcement mechanism in the state of Texas tries to find the jersey worn by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady during Super Bowl LI, a timeline has emerged that exonerates the man who wandered off with Kyle Shanahan’s game-plan-containing backpack, along with the rest of the media.

Via Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, the investigation has determined that the jersey likely stolen from Brady’s bag before reporters entered the locker room after the game. According to Robinson, the only people with access to the locker room when the jersey disappeared were “Patriots players, team officials and employees, family of New England executives, NFL employees and security.”

It’s still a fairly large universe of potential culprits, but it’s not as big as it would have been if the investigation had concluded that the jersey was lifted after the doors to the locker room flew open to the many reporters who had credentials for the game.

The Patriots didn’t have video surveillance in the locker room, per Robinson. (Insert Patriots videotaping joke here.) Robinson reports that, according to one unnamed source, Texas authorities are attempting to determine whether security cameras in the stadium show people exiting the locker room during the key time period.

Some will say that the NFL is taking this one too seriously. The problem is that the NFL traditionally has failed to take the issue of securing game-used memorabilia seriously enough. Regardless of whether Brady’s jersey ever surfaces, look for the NFL to immediately implement measures aimed at ensuring that it’s as hard to get things out of an NFL stadium as it is to get things in.

Personally I think they should just not prosecute the person. It is being valued at $500k. That seems ludicrous to me but let’s just go with that. The person who took is looking at some serious jail time. Just make an announcement that they just want the jersey

And now some free advice to the idiot Goodell hired to steal it. Put it in a box, and drop it off at your local fire station with a very nice note about how incredibly sorry you are and all will be forgiven. Sort of.

My money is on an NFL employee. Like the stolen K-ball in the 2015 AFCCG. If it is the result of a larger memorabilia stealing operation then I am glad that this is being investigated by law enforcement. Who could trust an ‘investigation’ by the NFL would disclose the actual truth.

the only people with access to the locker room when the jersey disappeared were “Patriots players, team officials and employees, family of New England executives, NFL employees and security.”
___________________

“NFL employees”

Has anyone checked Mike Kensil – it might be too late as he is probably on his way back to his NFL office in China.

His last SB-winning jersey was stolen too! The likeliest culprits have to be NFL officials – remember they stole a Pats ball in that 2015 AFCCG and initially falsely blamed it on the Pats switching balls DURING the game. That MASSIVE LIE suggested the Pats had been clearly caught “red handed”, and at the time dammed them in the court of public opinion more than mere psi numbers alone could. Then a week later they quietly fired the NFL’s own official who had been stealing balls to sell on e-bay. The search should start in Roger’s office and every NFL official needs to hand in their phone and finger prints.

My bet is on a drunk, rabid Pats’ fan, kind of like the one who sets fire alarms off in the opponents’ hotel or @ the stadium (for what reason we will never know)……Wouldn’t be hard to pull off with that many people in there.

It isn’t hard to get illegal items in NFL stadiums. I saw “fans” repel from a 2nd story part of a stadium last season in some sort of “protest”. When your “protests” involve inconveniencing other people, you tear up personal property, or burn stuff, that is called a riot.

This is entertainment at its best folks!!!! I’m riveted to my seat awaiting any update on this story. This is bigger than the Super Bowl. Leave it to Tom Brady, or something to do with Tom Brady, to be bigger than the game. Pass the popcorn please.

Just before 10:17 p.m., the locker room was opened to the waiting media, which filed in and broke into groups to interview various players. Brady returned to his locker by 10:20 p.m. and looked into the bag in his locker. At that time, reporters standing nearby heard him tell an NFL employee that his jersey was missing from his bag. Within minutes, Brady and equipment managers were searching through lockers and bags and other parts of the room to see if the jersey had been misplaced.

are you now giving credence to it, or just the specific parts that support your particular victimization theory?

sad you can’t keep your lying and denials straight, that’s what happens when you lie to yourself about being a victim. you’re welcome.

—————–

My comment wasn’t about the Wells Report. It was about the embarrassing way the media covered Deflategate. And you sheep all bought into it because you’re jealous of the Pats success. You can’t accept that they consistently outwork, outsmart and out perform 31 other franchises. But that’s just fine by us. You keep clinging to excuses and we’ll just keep celebrating Superbowls.

“gotitan says:
Feb 8, 2017 9:29 AM
It isn’t hard to get illegal items in NFL stadiums. I saw “fans” repel from a 2nd story part of a stadium last season in some sort of “protest”.”
“repel”?

Finally: Has anybody checked on the team chaplain’s whereabouts during this minor, meaningless, why-is-anybody-even-interested, alleged shoplifting of a dirty, stinky, used shirt? C’mon people. There are important things going on in the world. This isn’t one of them. Let it go and move on to Cleveland!